Mattheo Riddle One Shots

Unnoticed

Originally written by sadnymi on tumblr! Might be a part 2 but idk!

No summary! Bc it's short!

Words: 768

Warnings: a lot angst - probably gonna be p2

The moonlight pierced through the dense canopy of trees, casting long, haunting shadows across the forest floor as you moved closer to the lake. A biting wind swept through the night, carrying the faint sound of rippling water.

Your footsteps were soft against the earth, but each step brought you closer to him-Mattheo. He stood by the edge of the lake, his silhouette outlined against the dark water, tossing something into the depths with force.

"That's not very wise," you said softly, your voice piercing the silence.

Mattheo froze mid-throw, his body tensing as if readying for a fight. He turned his head just enough to catch your gaze, his eyes burning with a fierce, unwelcoming glare.

"What?" His voice was low, edged with the sharp bite of impatience.

You didn't flinch. You stepped closer, your boots crunching softly against the cold, damp ground. "There are creatures in that lake," you murmured, keeping your tone calm despite the storm building in your chest. "They won't appreciate being disturbed."

"And I care because...?" He spun around fully to face you, eyes narrowing dangerously as if daring you to keep talking.

"You don't. But I think you'd care if they decided to pull you under."

He tossed the last stone he was holding, the motion careless and angry. "Why are you here, Y/N?" he asked bitterly.

You bit your lip, you took another step closer, hesitating slightly before speaking. "I wanted to-"

His glare intensified as he cut you off. "Wanted to what? Ignore me again? Run away? Pretend I don't fucking exist until it's convenient for you?" His voice was dripping with frustration now, louder, angrier.

You faltered, your heart clenching in your chest. "Mattheo, I'm sorry," you said quietly, your voice trembling, your eyes burning with unshed tears. "I... I didn't mean to ignore you-"

"Don't give me that bullshit!" Mattheo snapped, stepping closer to you. "You're not fucking sorry, Y/N. You never are. Every time we get close, every time I start thinking we're finally going to figure this out, you disappear. You run away and leave me standing here like an idiot, wondering why the hell I even try."

You shook your head, your breath catching. "No, Mattheo, I'm really sorry. I'm scared. I just-"

"Scared? Scared of what?" He was shouting now, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Of me? Of this?" His hand gestured between you. "What the hell are you so terrified of, Y/N?"

Tears slipped down your cheeks as you struggled to speak. "I don't know!" you cried out. "I'm scared of everything, of this, of losing you, of... of feeling too much. But please, Mattheo, please don't go."

He stared at you, his breathing ragged, anger rolling off him in waves. "You don't even know what you want," he spat, shaking his head. "You say you want this-want us-but then you pull away the second it feels real. I'm done, Y/N. I'm fucking done. I'm not doing this anymore."

His words hit you like a punch to the gut, and you gasped, reaching out for him desperately. "Wait, wait! It can't be that easy! You can't just... just walk away, please..." Your voice cracked, the tears coming in full force now. "Mattheo, don't go.

For a moment, his face softened, just the briefest flicker of something vulnerable beneath his anger. It looked like he might come back to you, might pull you into his arms like he had done so many times before. But then, just as quickly, he shook his head, the softness disappearing.

"I can't," he whispered hoarsely, his voice laced with pain."It's brutal. I just... I can't. Not again." He turned away, leaving you standing there, watching him retreat into the shadows.

You couldn't blame him. You'd been here too many times before-each time, he stayed, and each time, you ran before things got too close, before you got too close. But this time, he didn't stay.

But not this time.

He deserved better. He deserved someone who didn't run the moment things got too real.

But why couldn't you be better for him?

The wind howled through the trees, the forest suddenly feeling emptier without him there. You stood alone at the edge of the lake, staring at the spot where Mattheo had vanished into the night, your chest aching with a pain you couldn't quite put into words.